The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) operates free COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites across the state in partnership with local health departments and others. This weekly media advisory provides information about these community-based testing and vaccination activities statewide, including opportunities to receive free bivalent boosters for Marylanders 5+. The State Center Vaccination, Testing and Treatment Site offers vaccinations for Marylanders 6 months and older on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at the hours listed below with no appointment required. State Center is now also offering bivalent boosters for Marylanders 5+ during vaccination hours listed below.  Additionally, State Center offers Test to…

ACPS Bus #2 to and from Flintstone Elementary School will not be in service today. Additionally, Flintstone bus #6 students who transfer to bus #2 will also not have service today.  Finally, Fort Hill and Washington students who normally ride bus #2 will ride bus #34 today instead.  Parents will need to make alternate transportation arrangements or contact the school with any issues.  

It was a big weekend for local school bands  in the Atlantic Coast Championships held in Towson on Sunday. The Mountain Ridge High School Marching Band, with  their 2022 production, "The Giving Tree" earned their first State title in their class, earning a score of 92.3 and receiving the award for Best Visual Performance. The Fort Hill High School marching band won 1st place in group. The band also won awards for Best Music and Best Visual. Fort Hill earned a historic high score of 95.93, breaking the school's highest score record for the third time in one season. The…

On November 6th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police served a Criminal Summons on Crystal Nicole Rymer, 31, of Cumberland MD. The summons was in reference to an incident that occurred on October 25th at a residence in the 200 Charles St. During that incident, it is alleged that Rymer stole a television from the resident. Rymer was served the summons and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Crystal Nicole Rymer             Age: 31 Charges: Theft less than $1,000 On November 6th, 2022, the Cumberland City Police served a Criminal Summons on Leonard Wayne Metzner, 56, of Cumberland MD. The summons…

On November 6th, 2022, The Cumberland City Police responded to a residence in the 500 block of Lowell Ave for the report of a disturbance inside the home. Upon arrival, officers observed two individuals involved in a verbal altercation. During the investigation, it was learned that James Glenn Nash, 46, was prohibited from being at the residence or contacting the other party due to an open and served Protective Order. At this time, it was also learned that Nash had an active Arrest Warrant for a similar incident that had occurred previously at the residence. As a result, Nash was…

Maryland transportation officials met this week with local representatives to discuss and update Allegany County project priorities. The meeting was held at the newly remodeled LaVale Library with county officials identifying repairing U.S. Route 220 drainage issues in Bowling Green as a top priority among road projects over the next few years. Other projects included bridges on Mason Road, Old Mt. Pleasant Road, Watercliffe Road, New Row Road as well as a pedestrian bridge near Bel Air Elementary School and restoration of the Borden Tunnel. Secretary of Transportation James Ports notified local officials that that the Port of Baltimore is…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Canal Place with the holiday tree in place and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad just about ready to commence with the popular Polar Express rides. The holiday excursion based on the 2004 movie features a ride from the Western Maryland Railway Station to Helmstetter's Curve near Cash Valley Road, where Santa's North Pole workshop with lights will be set up. Last year’s Polar Express ticket sales approached 26.000. Railroad general manager Wes Heinz…

With Election Day almost upon us, Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, during an appearance on WBAL,  was asked if the people of this state can trust the voting process… While there can always be isolated incidents of voting count issues, in the big picture Rutherford said there is no reason for any Marylander to lack confidence in the system…

Governor Larry Hogan Friday announced that, according to an economic impact report released by the Maryland Department of Commerce, the state’s tourism industry is continuing a strong recovery, recapturing nearly 90% of pre-pandemic visitor spending. In addition, the state reported increases over pre-pandemic levels in the key sectors of lodging and restaurants. The state continues to experience a strong economic recovery as a whole, including an unemployment rate below pre-pandemic levels. Hogan said Maryland’s tourism industry is well positioned and open to welcome visitors to the state- leading the recovery in visitor spending and job creation…

Respiratory syncytial virus infections continue to cause major problems at Maryland hospitals. Pediatricians in hospitals across the state are saying emergency departments are slammed with RSV cases. Dr Matthew Simmons, Vice President, Medical Staff Affairs at UPMC Western Maryland said that like many places across the country, the system is seeing RSV and other respiratory illnesses. He added that if you or your child have milder symptoms you are encouraged to see your Primary Care Provider or visit UPMC Urgent Care locations. Elsewhere in the state, the situation is more severe. Dr. Scott Krugman said children's hospitals across the Mid-Atlantic are…